### To grate a liquid into tiny droplets by its impact on a hydrophobic micro-gridTo grate a liquid into tiny droplets by its impact on a hydrophobic micro-grid

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 Author Brunet, P. ♦ Lapierre, F. ♦ Zoueshtiagh, F. ♦ Thomy, V. ♦ Merlen, A. Source arXiv.org Content type Text File Format PDF Date of Submission 2009-11-30 Language English
 Subject Domain (in DDC) Computer science, information & general works ♦ Natural sciences & mathematics ♦ Physics Subject Keyword Physics - Fluid Dynamics ♦ physics:physics Abstract We report on experiments of drop impacting a hydrophobic micro-grid, of typical spacing a few tens of $\mu$m. Above a threshold in impact speed, liquid emerges to the other side, forming micro-droplets of size about that of the grid holes. We propose a method to produce either a mono-disperse spray or a single tiny droplet of volume as small as a few picoliters corresponding to a volume division of the liquid drop by a factor of up to 10$^5$. We also discuss the discrepancy of the measured thresholds with that predicted by a balance between inertia and capillarity. Description Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for publication in Applied Physics Letters Educational Use Research Learning Resource Type Article Page Count 3